CBD vs. THC: Everything You Need to Know

When people talk about cannabis products, you may hear about CBD and THC. While both are available in hemp plants, both have very different effects on people. If you’re curious about what these letters mean and their effects on people, read on.  

It’s a common myth that all cannabis products have the potential to give you a “high”. While more informed people may know about the mix of CBD and THC in them, there are still myths that surround them. For example, one of the myths about CBD is that CBD oils have psychoactive properties. 

Below, we’ll discuss CBD vs THC to give you a clearer understanding of these hemp components.

What Is CBD?

An abundant cannabinoid in cannabis is CBD, which stands for cannabidiol. It has a chemical structure that is comparable to that of THC’s. However, their effects on a person’s conditions are very different.

Many people use CBD for pain relief and other various conditions. These conditions help with seizures, inflammation, nausea, and migraines. More medical benefits of CBD include combating Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. 

CBD also reduces mental state conditions like depression and anxiety. Dravet’s Syndrome is another condition CBD can treat. It’s a type of rare and debilitating pediatric epilepsy that is resistant to many approved treatment methods.

CBD isn’t lethal and is safe to use even in large doses.  Another benefit to CBD is that there are almost no side effects from it. Research suggests that most side effects that occur with CBD are the result of interactions with other medications. 

CBD is popular for its medical benefits and most likely for its hemp origins.

This then begs the question that is, “Does CBD get you high?” The answer to that is a definite no.

While CBD comes from the infamous cannabis, it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects. Where THC is famous for its euphoric effect, CBD is famous for its lack of it. CBD doesn’t trigger the cannabinoid 1 receptor in the brain, which creates euphoria.

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What Is THC?

THC, an abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis, stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the compound 55 million American adults chase after in cannabis products. It binds with the brain’s CB1 receptor and is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. 

The molecular structure of THC is the same with CBD. They differ due to the arrangement of their atoms.

Although it gives the side effect of “feeling high”, THC also has medical benefits. THC pills and other products help reduce pain. It also helps with muscle spasticity, glaucoma, and insomnia.

Some use THC to increase low appetite and reduce high anxiety levels. Nausea is a condition that THC helps with, like CBD. Although it isn’t a lethal compound, THC has side effects as well.

It causes slower reaction times, memory loss, and increased heart rates. Some may experience coordination problems, dry mouth, and red eyes. These side effects come with THC’s psychoactive properties.

Since THC gives the user a euphoric feeling, it can cause negative effects like addiction. High TCH use in the long term only spells bad news for the user. This is why physicians must control their patients’ THC use.

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CBD and THC Cannabis Strains

Certain cannabis strains like CBD edibles are rising in popularity. What are CBD edibles, you ask. These are edible CBD-infused products like snacks, gummies, and even smoothies. 

If you’ve tried a cannabis strain, you may have seen its CBD/THC ratio. Strains contain a mixture of CBD and THC compounds in different ratios. A high THC, low CBD strain allows for cannabis products with euphoric effects. 

That’s why CBD-THC gummies with high THC content has a calming effect. In contrast, high CBD, low THC strains deliver functional effects. It’s also possible to have a balanced CBD/THC strain.

Compared to using THC alone, CBD with THC proves to be more beneficial for some conditions. This is because CBD counteracts the intoxicating effect of THC. The high CBD strains are great for those who don’t want a muddled head and those who are sensitive to the effects of THC.

You consume CBD strains as you would THC strains. You could smoke or vaporize CBD-rich flowers, swallow CBD oil capsules, or eat other CBD-infused edibles. There are also products like CBD lotions, oils, and tinctures.

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CBD vs THC

Let’s get to the meat of our topic: CBD vs THC

Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system. This is the signaling system in your body that regulates pain, appetite, and mood. It also controls signaling for memory, sleep, and immune response.

That is the reason why many of their medical benefits are similar. Despite that, CBD and THC have different side effects. As stated above, CBD has little to no known side effects save for contact with other drugs. 

Also, CBD is not only medically beneficial for adults but also children and pets. Meanwhile, THC gives off that euphoric feeling however it also has some side effects. It’s also a dominant compound in marijuana while CBD dominates hemp.

Listed under the US Controlled Substances Act is THC and thus, it’s prohibited under federal law. However, many states have passed cannabis policies for medical marijuana use. This means before you can get products with high THC levels, you need the recommendation of a licensed physician.

CBD is not listed under the Controlled Substances Act and so it is available in all 50 states. The conditions are that it’s not extracted from the marijuana plant and the product is from high CBD, low THC hemp.

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CBD and THC: The More You Know

That’s our quick guide on CBD vs THC. While both compounds are beneficial, note that moderation is the key. Make sure that the cannabis products you consume state the CBD/THC levels and are lab-tested.

For more content like this on CBD, feel free to read our other guides. Got questions? Contact us and send us your inquiry today.